Emergency Medical Services Program
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program is designed for students who desire a career in pre-hospital emergency care. Our goal is to prepare Paramedics who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. The program provides successful students with theoretical and practical preparation to obtain entry-level positions in the EMS workforce.
There are four levels of EMS licensure and education: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic. They are licensed medical professionals who provide emergency medical care to the sick and injured. Students who enroll in the EMS program will pursue a course of study that leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. We also have exit points at each level via the use of Short-Term Certificates (STCs). EMR is a short certification course taken in a continuing education format. EMT is a one-semester course taught every semester. Advanced EMT training requires an additional semester beyond EMT and is offered each Fall and Spring. Paramedic is the final three semesters after AEMT and starts in the Summer. Over the last three years, completers in EMS have had 100% job placement. Courses are taught at the Wallace Drive Campus and the Anniston Fire Training Center.
The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP) and the State of Alabama Department of Public Health – Office of Emergency Medical Services (ADPH-OEMS).
- Unconditional admission to the college through our online application system: Apply to Gadsden State.
- Complete a program application before the start of the semester: .
- Minimum college / high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Must be in good standing with the College
- Must meet the Essential Functions (see below) required for Emergency Medical Services students.
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen upon admission to the program.
- Submit a complete health questionnaire and up-to-date immunizations upon request.
- Demonstrate proof of health insurance (third-party temporary coverage information available upon request).
(Offered Fall, Spring, Summer)
|
9 HOURS |
EMS 118 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN |
|
1 HOUR |
EMS 119 – EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CLINICAL |
|
1 HOUR |
EMS 100 – CPR |
|
1 HOUR |
EMS 107 – EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR COURSE |
(Offered Fall, Spring)
| 7 HOURS | EMS 155 – ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN |
| 2 HOURS | EMS 156 – ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CLINICAL |
(Offered Summer)
PARAMEDIC SEMESTER 1 (8 HOURS)
| 3 HOURS |
EMS 241 – PARAMEDIC CARDIOLOGY |
| 2 HOURS | EMS 242 – PARAMEDIC PATIENT ASSESSMENT |
| 1 HOUR | EMS 244 – PARAMEDIC CLINICAL I |
| 2 HOURS | EMS 257 – PARAMEDIC APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY |
PARAMEDIC SEMESTER 2 (11 HOURS)
| 3 HOURS | EMS 245 – PARAMEDIC MEDICAL EMERGENCIES |
| 3 HOURS |
EMS 246 – PARAMEDIC TRAUMA MANAGEMENT |
| 2 HOURS | EMS 247 – PARAMEDIC SPECIAL POPULATIONS |
| 3 HOURS |
EMS 248 – PARAMEDIC CLINICAL II |
PARAMEDIC SEMESTER 3 (10 HOURS)
| 2 HOURS | EMS 253 – PARAMEDIC TRANSITION TO THE WORKFORCE |
| 2 HOURS |
EMS 254 – ADVANCED COMPETENCIES FOR THE PARAMEDIC |
| 5 HOURS |
EMS 255 – PARAMEDIC FIELD PRECEPTORSHIP |
| 1 HOUR | EMS 256 – PARAMEDIC TEAM LEADERSHIP |
(71 Total Credit Hours)
All of the classes above plus:
| 4 HOURS | BIO 201 – HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I |
| 4 HOURS | BIO 202 – HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II |
| 3 HOURS | ENG 101 – ENGLISH COMPOSITION I |
| 3 HOURS | FINE ARTS ELECTIVE |
| 3 HOURS | MTH 116 – MATH APPLICATIONS (or higher-level course) |
| 1 HOUR | ORI 101 – ORIENTATION TO COLLEGE |
| 3 HOURS | PSY 200 – GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (or higher-level course) |
Note: Academic courses for the AAS degree can be taken during the program to complete the degree requirements within the five semesters or to provide full-time hours for financial aid. See an EMS advisor for course planning.
Health Sciences Division, EMS Specific Class Requirements
Students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services Program must meet two criteria to be eligible for licensure:
- Must have an overall average of 75 or higher in each class at the end of the semester.
- Must pass each final lab skill station within two attempts.
As per law 420-2-1-.32, the Alabama Department of Public Health places the following requirements for eligibility to enter and progress through any Emergency Medical Services Program:
(a) The Emergency Medical Technician student shall:
- Meet all institutional admission requirements.
- Maintain a current Health Care Provider CPR certification.
- Meet the “Essential Functions” as set forth by the OEMS and can be found on the Essential Job Function Analysis Form located , or attach documentation to the program application from those essential functions of which the student is not in compliance (for review by the institution’s ADA Coordinator).
- Provide an acceptable physical examination by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to include written documentation (on a form provided by the program).
- Possess verification on file with the educational institution of the following: (i) Professional liability insurance. (ii) Current health, hospitalization, accident insurance, or waiver of liability.
(b) The Advanced EMT student shall:
- Complete all entry requirements for Level 3 students.
- Possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED), or dual enrollment.
- Possess a current Alabama EMT license, or have successfully completed an EMT course approved by the State Board of Health within the past 12 months (student must possess an Alabama EMT license prior to entering the internship portion or exit the program until the license is obtained).
(c) The Paramedic student shall:
- Complete all entry requirements for Level 3 students.
- Possess a current Alabama EMT or AEMT license, or have successfully completed a Level 2 or Level 3 course approved by the State Board of Health within the last 12 months (student must possess an Alabama EMT or AEMT license prior to entering the internship portion or exit the program).
(d) The Registered Nurse (RN) shall:
- Complete all entry requirements for Level 3 students.
- Possess an Associate’s Degree or higher in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
- Possess a license as an unencumbered RN license in Alabama or an RN license accepted through the Nursing Compact.
- Possess a current NREMT or NRAEMT certification prior to entering the internship portion or exit the program.
- Successfully complete all Level 3 course work from an accredited institution.
(e) All education programs must inform students of the specific requirements for progression through each level of EMS education. No student will be allowed to sit for the state approved certification exam if the student attempts to circumvent the matriculation requirements set by the education program in which they are enrolled.
(f) All EMS students must maintain current professional liability insurance while enrolled in an education program.
(g) All EMS students must maintain current health and hospitalization insurance or have a waiver on file while enrolled in a program.
(h) All EMS students must comply with all institution and program rules, policies, and procedures. Students must pass drug screen and background check as per program policy.
The State of Alabama created the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Reimbursement Program (Act 2018-524) in 2018. The legislation allows for students who obtain their EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic certification from an Alabama Community College to be reimbursed their tuition costs for the training.
In order to qualify for the Volunteer Rescue Student Tuition Program, the applicant must commit - and show verification of a commitment - to at least three years of service to a volunteer fire or rescue squad. Volunteering as an EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic increases the worker's experience and helps local communities.
How it works
- Student submits program agreement and documents to ACCS
- ACCS reviews packet and if complete, issues reimbursement* to College
- College disburses reimbursement to student
*All funding is based on availability.
To enter the program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Unconditional admission to the college through our online application system: Apply to Gadsden State.
- Complete a program application before the start of the semester: .
- Minimum college / high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Must be in good standing with the College
- Must meet the Essential Functions (see below) required for Emergency Medical Services students.
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen upon admission to the program.
- Submit a complete health questionnaire and up-to-date immunizations upon request.
- Demonstrate proof of health insurance (third-party temporary coverage information available upon request).
- First apply online and be accepted into 91¾ÞÈé: Apply to Gadsden State.
- Complete an EMS Program application before the start of the semester: .
Registration is handled directly with an EMS Program advisor. You can contact the office at 256-549-8654 or email John Hollingsworth at jhollingsworth@gadsdenstate.edu.
- EMT classes meet during the morning hours (0830-1230) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at the Wallace Drive Campus when student enrollment is sufficient.
- EMT classes meet during the evening hours (1700-2100) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at the Anniston Regional Training Center when student enrollment is sufficient.
- Advanced EMT classes are shift-based (0830-1530) at the Wallace Drive Campus and Anniston Regional Training Center when student enrollment is sufficient.
- Paramedic classes are shift-based (0830-1500) at the Wallace Drive Campus and Anniston Regional Training Center when student enrollment is sufficient.
- No, you first start in the one (1) semester EMT program consisting of twelve (12) semester hours.
- After completion, you will test National Registry and upon passing you apply for your Alabama state license.
- The next step is Advanced EMT which is also a one (1) semester program.
- After completion, you will test National Registry and upon passing you apply for your Alabama state license.
- Your next step is the three (3) semester Paramedic program.
- Before beginning clinicals in Advanced EMT or Paramedic, you will have to be licensed at the EMT level with the State of Alabama.
No, you must have BLS for the Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association, which is offered through our program.
Yes, orientation is completed in class on the first day.
Yes, you will purchase your monogrammed shirts from our bookstore. The shirts vary in color by level: EMT (Blue), AEMT (Gray), Paramedic (Red). The remaining uniform consists of black BDU pants, black t-shirt, black boots and black belt. These can all be purchased or charged to financial aid at our bookstore in the One-Stop Center.
Most ambulance services in our area operate on 24-hour shift rotations designated A, B, and C. This means they work for 24 hours and are off for 48 hours. When we teach on a shift-based schedule, we go to school on one of these shifts to allow students to attend without interfering with their work schedule.
The Emergency Medical Services Program is accredited by:
The Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP)
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354
Email: mail@caahep.org
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Phone: 214-703-8445
Alabama Department of Public Health - Office of EMS
208 Legends Court, Prattville, Alabama 36066
Phone: (334) 290-3088
Fax: (334) 206-0364
Whether one is a U.S. citizen or an international student, the following principles relating to the transfer of credit earned at one institution to another institution apply:
- Coursework transferred or accepted for credit toward an undergraduate program must represent collegiate coursework relevant to the formal award, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in the institution’s own undergraduate formal award programs. In assessing and documenting equivalent learning and qualified faculty, an institution may use recognized guides that aid in the evaluation for credit. Such guides include those published by the American Council on Education, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs. NOTICE: The student may check for transfer credit on the website by logging into the student account and viewing their unofficial transcript.
- A course completed at another regionally accredited postsecondary institution with a passing grade will be accepted for transfer as potentially creditable toward graduation requirements.
- A transfer grade of “D” will be accepted. The exception to this rule is a grade of “D” in English Composition I. Selective admissions programs may treat transfer differently towards degree completion.
- College credit hours will be given based on the credit hours earned at the transferring institution.
- Non-traditional credit may be extended based on a comprehensive evaluation of demonstrated and documented competencies and previous formal training. Evaluations are made by qualified faculty and approved by the appropriate instructor and dean.
- A transfer student from a collegiate institution not accredited by the appropriate regional association may request an evaluation of transfer credits after completing fifteen (15) semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
- Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the appropriate dean after review by the academically-qualified division chair.
Experiential Learning Credit may be awarded for current state licensure at the EMT, and Advanced EMT level for relevant EMS courses. Students may also apply for credit for EMS 100, and EMS 107 if they possess current certification.
Registered Nurses (RN) and other health care professionals can test for EMT certification. In order to do this, a candidate must work with an accredited EMS education program using an advanced placement process. Healthcare professionals using the advanced placement process would test as any other candidate who completed an initial program. Each program can tell you more about their specific advanced placement process.
RNs may bridge to the Paramedic level by completed Paramedic level curriculum. During this time, the candidate must obtain an EMT level Alabama license before continuing into the 2nd semester of the curriculum. At the end of the Paramedic curriculum, they will be allowed to take the Paramedic certification exam.
Only upon completion of all didactic, psychomotor, and clinical requirements will the student progress to Capstone/Team Leadership phase.
CONTACT:
John Hollingsworth MS, NRP EMS Program Director
256-549-8654
jhollingsworth@gadsdenstate.edu